British film-maker Ken Loach has committed to make his next film with FilmFour, it will be announced today at the Cannes Film Festival.

Provisionally entitled These Times, Loach will direct the contemporary story set in Britain which reignites the leftwing director's longstanding links with FilmFour.

FilmFour will act as co-financiers for the film and is also planning a multiple platform release for These Times, which means that it will be screened on Channel 4 simultaneously with its UK theatrical release.

The film is being produced by Loach's long-time collaborator, Rebecca O'Brien, and has been written by Paul Laverty, the writer of Loach's current film release, The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

Shooting will start in the autumn on location just outside London and in Scotland.

The project links Sixteen Films with FilmFour after their most recent collaboration on his film about railwaymen, The Navigators, as well as the films Bread and Roses, My Name is Joe, Carla's Song, Ladybird Ladybird, Raining Stones and Riff-Raff.

Liza Marshall, the commissioning editor for Channel 4, said: "Ken Loach is a film-maker who has never compromised his vision. We hope this new project will be just the kind of urgent, questioning and passionate film Channel 4 is proud to make."

The head of FilmFour, Tessa Ross, said: "Working with Ken Loach is always a privilege and I am delighted he is reuniting with FilmFour again."